A woman living with dermatillomania has revealed how the compulsive disorder causes her to pick at her skin for hours on end, until her face is bleeding and hurts to touch.
Many people might find themselves momentarily picking at their skin in the morning or evening, but for Julia Yuro, it’s never just a few minutes. The 23-year-old from Monmouth County, New Jersey, has been diagnosed with a skin picking disorder known as dermatillomania, after years of causing damage to her face.
Yoro started picking her skin aged 14 but believes she started showing the compulsive tendencies at around 16. She told Newsweek that she “didn’t think there was anything off” about her ability to sit for hours and pick at her skin. Everyone gets blemishes, especially as a teenager, so it seemed like the norm.
“I can spend anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours at a time picking my skin,” Yoro said. “I usually pick the longest when I get out of the shower and sit down to do my nighttime skin routine. It can take up to 4 hours because I become entranced trying to get all the impurities out of my skin. I won’t even notice how long I’ve been there until I look at the clock and realize it’s been hours.”
These “picking sessions” leave Yoro feeling deeply ashamed and disappointed that she damaged her skin to the point of bleeding.
She tends to pick the skin on her face the most, and it’s now become part of her daily skincare routine. However, there are times when she gets “so in the zone” that Yoro will also pick at the bumps on her arms, back, chest or legs.
For many years, Yoro has felt self-conscious of her skin and dreaded the thought of leaving the house. She’s consumed by thoughts about what other people think, and ultimately she just wants to hide away to avoid people asking.
Living With Dermatillomania
In July 2025, Yoro was diagnosed with dermatillomania, which she says has been “the hardest thing” she’s ever dealt with. She’s lived with this condition for almost a decade without knowing, but now she finally understands why she does this.
Dermatillomania is an obsessive compulsive disorder which an estimated 2 percent of people live with. The Cleveland Clinic suggests that it’s more prevalent among women and is more likely to happen to people with a triggering condition, such as acne or eczema.
Yoro said: “Dermatillomania causes me to sit for hours trying to get all the gunk out of my pores and making sure there are no scabs. My skin becomes very sensitive, and it hurts to touch it. Typically, I won’t stop picking my skin until it begins to bleed; that way, I know all the gunk is out.
“This usually results in the wounds scabbing over, which then creates a vicious cycle because I don’t like when a scab begins to peel off. I end up picking the scabs and whatever gunk was underneath, creating a more severe wound. These wounds typically take weeks to heal and result in deep scars.”
How Other People Respond
In the past, people have urged Yoro to “just stop picking”—if only it was that simple.
She describes it as a habit that she can’t break without feeling “extremely anxious and uncomfortable.” Picking at her skin has become part of her daily routine, and the idea of just stopping is unfathomable.
People will often ask what happened to her face, if it’s painful, or if it’s acne, causing Yoro to spiral even further.
“I can’t put any skincare products on my face without making sure all the gunk is out, and my skin is smooth. It is a compulsion that I can’t just stop,” Yoro told Newsweek.
“Most of the comments I get make me incredibly self-conscious and reinforce the idea I have that everyone is judging the way my skin looks. Other comments I get are people telling me to stop picking or giving me advice on how to clear my skin. If it were that simple, then I would, but unfortunately, I’m in a constant battle with my mind about how my skin looks and feels.”
Living With the Condition
Yoro sees a dermatologist every three months to monitor her skin and to try new topical treatments or medication. She also sees a therapist once a week who specializes in the skin picking disorder, and they’re using cognitive behavioral therapy to work through the condition.
Yoro knows it’s going to be a long and slow journey to heal, but she tries to remain optimistic about the future. She still picks her skin every day but takes medication to fight the urges.
She typically spends up to 2-and-a-half hours doing her skin routine in the morning, and up to 4 hours in the evening.
“Even though I’m taking all of these steps to manage the condition, I won’t be able to defeat it until I change how my brain thinks about my skin, which makes this a very long and difficult journey,” Yoro said.
After feeling so alone for such a long time, Yoro started sharing her experience on TikTok (@juliayuro). She initially wanted to speak up after receiving countless comments about her skin, and in doing so, Yoro hopes to take away some of the shame.
Now, she has shared multiple videos discussing dermatillomania, how it impacts her life, the comments she receives, and answering people’s questions.
Many of her videos have gone viral with tens or hundreds of views online, as internet users showed their support and gratitude for such vulnerability. She’s gained a whole community through social media, and not only does she feel less alone, but she hopes to be a pillar of support for others too.
“Dermatillomania is such a shameful condition and no one really speaks about it. I still struggle with this every day and still feel very self-conscious, but the support I’m getting on my videos has made it feel a little more bearable,” Yoro said.
“If you’re struggling with dermatillomania, just know you’re not alone. More people than you think are fighting this battle and know how you feel. This condition is so hard to deal with because of the shame it creates, but just know you’re more than your skin, and you’ll overcome this eventually.”
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